Heard the one about comics at war over gag ‘theft’?

IT might not sound like a side-splitter. But a joke likening a smart fridge to a nagging wife could soon be at the centre of a landmark legal battle.

Stand-up comedian Kae Kurd has reportedly begun libel proceedings against another comic, Darius Davies, who claims he plagiarised his routine. When Mr Kurd performed on Jonathan Ross’s Comedy Club on ITV last September, Mr Davies claimed he recognised some of the jokes as his own. In a gag likening smart fridges to a nagging partner, Mr Kurd says: ‘I’m not married for a reason. I don’t want to be out with the lads, suddenly I get a message, and my friends are like “is that the fridge again?”’ In Mr Davies’ joke, he says: ‘I’ve got a girlfriend, I’ve got a wife, I don’t need no needy fridge texting me!’

Mr Davies posted a video of their material edited together. Now Mr Kurd has launched a libel claim at the High Court, according to The Guardian, and has hired the Royal family’s lawyers Harbottle & Lewis. It is thought to be the first court case of its kind in the UK.

Mr Davies, who is trying to raise funds to fight the case, said: ‘Ultimately comedy disputes should be settled in a green room... over a pint not a court room.’